Automation & Robotics: Twin-headed Engines Driving Smart Manufacturing

From increasing productivity of high precision products to freeing humans of menial jobs, manufacturing organizations have started acknowledging the benefits derived through the adoption of automation and robotics. Harnessing the limitless potential of these technologies can further enhance the Indian industry’s position on the global map.

Customer needs and perceptions are essential for any change to take place in the manufacturing arena. The demands which arise from customers drive industries to do research, innovate, communicate through digital communications and bring forth innovative products into the market through smart manufacturing. Technologies such as automation and robotics help industries respond to consumer demands and simultaneously prosper.

Industrial automation

Simply defined, industrial automation is the application of automation to control and monitor the production of goods and services in the manufacturing process. This is achieved through the use of control systems such as computers, robots or other information technologies to handle different processes and machinery in an industry replacing human efforts. There is a fusion of physical and digital worlds. This enables managers to streamline, compile and convert plant level data into meaningful insights and find a solution to address demand versus supply gaps, machine operations, system usability, etc. In short, it helps to take control of the production process.

Indian companies using automation

A significant number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) dot India’s manufacturing landscape. Shifting them from manual operations to IT- and automation-enabled ones is a daunting challenge. Though most MSMEs consider automation as an expensive affair, many of them look forward to implement it somehow in their manufacturing processes to serve the needs of their customers. These MSMEs need automation which is economical. Such price competitive automation once developed will enable MSMEs bring out larger volumes at lesser costs and benefit original equipment manufacturers.

One way to change the mindset is by spreading awareness. Manufacturers in Japan, for example, found out that a combination of human skillsets and appropriate automation would give rich dividends. We too can move ahead on the same lines. An awareness can be created on the payback (return on investments), simplicity in operation, design, flexibility and maintenance results if companies adopt automation. The Government of India has set an ambitious target to increase the share of manufacturing to 25 percent of the country’s GDP. This can be achieved only if we bring out innovative products. Automation is crucial to us from that perspective. Therefore, manufacturers who can automate their processes should not shy away from doing so.

Application of robots in smart manufacturing

Industrial robots are used for mass production and material handling. Robots are employed in factories for safety and precision. With robots we achieve superior repeatability with every job which, other-wise, is difficult to do with human hands. Tasks such as part selection, transferring of a part, packing, loading and unloading, and machine feeding can be done accurately with robots. Tool changing happens in a shorter time. A significant chunk of robotic applications are used for welding. Robots can be guided by a pre-determined program and a machine vision.

Impetus to industry

Automation and robotics are used in engineering industries, pharmaceuticals, logistics, food processing industries, automotive industry, FMCG companies, and many more. As the manufacturing industry embraces automation and robotics in its manufacturing process, it will give a good output of high precision products which will enable the manufacturing industry to expand its footprint at the global level.

Technologies such as automation and robotics help industries respond to consumer demands and simultaneously prosper.